Full Idea
It can hardly be supposed that a false theory would explain, in so satisfactory a manner as does the theory of natural selection, the several large classes of facts above specified.
Gist of Idea
A false theory could hardly rival the explanatory power of natural selection
Source
Charles Darwin (The Origin of the Species [1859], p.476), quoted by Peter Lipton - Inference to the Best Explanation (2nd) 11 'The scientific'
Book Reference
Lipton,Peter: 'Inference to the Best Explanation (2nd ed)' [Routledge 2004], p.206
A Reaction
More needs to be said, since the whims of God could explain absolutely everything (in a manner that would be somehow less that fully satisfying to the enquiring intellect).
Related Ideas
Idea 3804 Darwin's idea was the best idea ever [Dennett]
Idea 14915 The theory of evolution was accepted because it explained, not because of its predictions [Ladyman/Ross]